Contributed by the North Carolina Community Foundation
Cindy Brookshire, co-founder of the volunteer-driven nonprofit Activate Selma, has been awarded the Frances Finch Hobart Award for Voluntary Community Service. The Johnston County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation, presented the surprise honor during a recent gathering of the group at the Rudy Theatre in Selma.
Established in 2006, the Hobart Award recognizes Johnston County residents whose dedication, vision and generosity strengthen their communities. Brookshire’s work through Activate Selma, along with her involvement in arts, literary and faith-based organizations, embodies the spirit of the award.
Helping launch Activate Selma in 2018, she has since dedicated thousands of volunteer hours to planning and organizing events that bring people together and foster local pride. She helped initiate signature efforts such as the Rockin’ on Raiford concert series and has had a hand in hundreds of open mics, networking gatherings and beautification projects throughout the town.
She also authored the book “A Heart for Selma: 12 Stories of Activate Selma NC,” documenting the volunteers who chose to invest their time and talent in strengthening their town. In addition, she sends a weekly community newsletter that keeps businesses, volunteers and residents connected and informed.
“Under Cindy’s steady, servant-hearted leadership, Activate Selma has flourished as a model grassroots movement in Johnston County,” said Mike Jentes, chair of Activate Selma. “From its beginnings as a small discussion group of four, Cindy has inspired others to take ownership of their town’s renewal, guiding by example, listening well and inviting broad participation.”
Jentes credits Brookshire’s collaborative spirit and quiet persistence with helping grow the organization into a thriving network of participants.
Beyond Activate Selma, Brookshire contributes to the community in many other ways. She serves on the board of Neuse River Writers, represents eastern North Carolina through the North Carolina Writers’ Network, supports the Johnston County Arts Council and is an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Smithfield.
As part of her award, Brookshire was invited to select a local nonprofit to receive a $2,300 grant from the Frances Finch Hobart Award for Voluntary Community Service Fund, and fittingly, she chose Activate Selma.
About the Johnston County Community Foundation
Founded in 1992, the Johnston County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation led by a local volunteer advisory board. JCCF helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants and leverages leadership – all for the benefit of Johnston County.
NCCF partners with donors and a network of affiliates to sustain over 1,300 endowments totaling nearly $570 million in assets. More than $338 million has been awarded as grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students, creating stronger communities for generations to come.
